About Classic Chicago

Jean Colonomos

Poet, playwright, and former Martha Graham dancer, Jean Colonomos also wrote dance journalism for The Village Voice, The New York Dance Calendar and Dance Magazine. She received a Citation from the City of Los Angeles for her play Black Dawn about Cambodian women who suffered under Pol Pot’s genocide. As a poet she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

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Jean Colonomos’s Articles

Poems for Summer June 21, 2026 Martha Graham When She Danced a Cold-War Peace Plan May 24, 2026 The Queen: A Poem for Martha Graham July 19, 2026 New Poems by Jean Colonomos August 9, 2026 Two Poems September 27, 2026

Josée Nadeau

Josée Nadeau is an artist who, through the invitation of Gérald Van der Kemp, former Chief Curator of the Palace of Versailles, spent more than a decade painting in Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny. Her Centennial Claude Monet Collection commemorates the 100th anniversary of Monet’s passing. She divides her time between Chicago (Lake Forest), Florida, and the South of France. Learn more at joseenadeau.com.

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Josée Nadeau’s Articles

Painting Giverny August 9, 2026

Nick Wilder

Sailing has always been in Nick Wilder’s blood, from learning to sail dinghies on the Maine coast as a grade schooler to serving as the Radcliffe sailing instructor in college. He and his wife, Keven, now sail their Alerion 28 off Sister Bay in Door County, and in recent years have taken to schooner cruises on the Sea Cloud ships — from the Baltic to the Greek islands. Nick shares photo essays of his travels with Classic Chicago readers.

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Nick Wilder’s Articles

Sea Cloud Spirit February 22, 2026 Nick Wilder's Summer Photo Essay August 9, 2026

Philip Vidal

Each month Philip Vidal curates Chicago events from hundreds of ideas he receives to create About the Town which presents a wide variety of cultural, musical, theatric, philanthropic events and more which are tailored to the wide interests of our readers. A monthly contributor since Classic Chicago was founded almost 11 years ago, Vidal’s picks have made his a most popular column.

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Philip Vidal’s Articles

About the Town in April April 5, 2026 About the Town in May May 3, 2026 About the Town in June May 31, 2026 About the Town: July in Chicago June 28, 2026 About the Town in August August 2, 2026 About the Town in September August 30, 2026

Katherine Harvey

Katherine Harvey is a travel writer whose work takes readers from Chicago to the far corners of Europe and beyond.

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Katherine Harvey’s Articles

Antibes Early Spring 2026 April 5, 2026 Antibes Summer 2026 August 2, 2026

Adrian Naves

Adrian Naves is a former Classic Chicago intern and a versatile writer and editor whose work spans culture, history, and Chicago life.

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Adrian Naves’s Articles

The Pokémon Fossil Museum Is Coming to Chicago March 22, 2026 Chicago: An Express Train History April 26, 2026 The History of Kiddieland July 12, 2026 Adrian's Adventures: 2026 Illinois State Fair August 2, 2026 The Lincoln and Douglas Debates August 16, 2026 The Hawthorne Works Project September 20, 2026

Darcy L. Evon

Darcy L. Evon writes for Classic Chicago Magazine on the city’s cultural and philanthropic life, including the Guild of the Chicago History Museum.

Bob Glaze

One of our first contributors, Bob Glaze’s monthly Weekend Road Trips columns were a saving grace to readers during COVID who yearned for short driving trips where they learned about neighborhoods and towns nearby. Whether it’s trips now to San Miguel de Allende, the Jersey Shore, or great Chicago neighborhoods, Bob shares history, great dining and shops to visit. His worldwide recommendations can be found at globalphile.com.

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Bob Glaze’s Articles

Visiting Suburban Riverside, IL June 21, 2026 Chicago’s Best New Restaurant Finds May 17, 2026 Route 66 in Chicago April 19, 2026 Visiting Little Village in Chicago March 15, 2026 Where to Eat on N. Halsted St. February 15, 2026 My Favorite Food Memories Along the Jersey Shore July 19, 2026 My Top Recent Theater Experiences in Chicago August 16, 2026 My Favorite Fall Destinations in Chicago September 20, 2026

Francesco Bianchini

Born in Rome and raised in Umbria, Francesco Bianchini teaches French language and culture at the University of Perugia and writes from between Italy and France. His work explores memory, place, food, travel, and the quiet rituals that shape a life. In September 2026 Francesco published his 100th article for Classic Chicago Magazine — read “Chopsticks,” his milestone piece.

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Francesco Bianchini’s Articles

Ciorba de Perisoare June 21, 2026 An Omelette and a Glass of Wine May 31, 2026 The First Guinness on Inis Mór May 10, 2026 Madeira: An Island Revealed from Above April 26, 2026 The Shape of Bread April 12, 2026 The Guardian of San Pietro March 15, 2026 The Case of the Missing Caramel March 1, 2026 Dining Under a Tiepolo Sky July 5, 2026 Soup on the Verge of Heatstroke July 26, 2026 Francesco Bianchini's 100th Story September 6, 2026

Cheryl Anderson

Cheryl Anderson writes about art, culture, and the beauty found in everyday Chicago life.

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Cheryl Anderson’s Articles

Les Années Folles de Coco Chanel March 15, 2026 At Last, the Daffodils April 19, 2026 Jardin Botanique Val Rameh August 16, 2026

Susan Aurinko

Monthly author of “My Silk Roads”, Susan Aurinko is a photographic artist and independent curator who also enjoys writing and reviewing. Enjoy her website at lensflairenditions.com.

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Susan Aurinko’s Articles

My Silk Roads February 15, 2026 An Island Idyll March 29, 2026 Celebrating Partnerships and Pastels April 26, 2026 My Silk Roads – On Elegance May 31, 2026 Dispatch from Paris June 28, 2026 Vienna July 26, 2026 Health in the Austrian Alps: Dispatch from MAYRLIFE August 30, 2026 My Silk Roads, September 2026 September 27, 2026

Biba Roesch

Biba Roesch who writes monthly about her favorite things, has been a Chicago favorite to so many. A leader in the concierge field and a member of cultural boards such as Facets, her knowledge of Chicago and Palm Springs people and places is legendary.

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Biba Roesch’s Articles

Biba’s Favorite Things: Linda Heister February 8, 2026 Biba’s Favorite Things: Palm Springs March 29, 2026 Biba’s Favorite Things: Palm Springs April 26, 2026 Biba’s Favorite Things: Palm Springs, Part II May 31, 2026 Biba’s Favorite Things – Steven Zick July 12, 2026 Biba’s Favorite Things – Gloria Groom July 26, 2026 Biba's Favorite Things: Mia Cohen August 23, 2026

Emma Muhleman

Emma Muhleman is a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an intern at Classic Chicago Magazine, where she contributes writing and editorial support.

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Emma Muhleman’s Articles

An Enchanted Evening: The Newberry Library Awards Dinner May 10, 2026

William Tyre

William Tyre is Executive Director and Curator at Glessner House, a National Historic Landmark and beloved Chicago house museum. Tyre is a leading preservationist and writer who serves on other community boards dedicated to preserving Chicago’s history.

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William Tyre’s Articles

Glessner House Celebrates 60 Years May 17, 2026

Michael Traynor

Michael Traynor, who has been a noted consultant in non-profit leadership and finance, authors inspiring photo essays for Classic Chicago on international trips but finds Lincoln Park a daily destination for exploration and contemplation.

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Michael Traynor’s Articles

A Stroll Through a Park August 23, 2026

Ronald Clewer

Ron Clewer, Chair of the Landmarks Illinois Executive Committee, is the Principal at Tipping Point Consultancy specializing in community development, strategic leadership and hands-on support of mission-driven organizations. In March 2026, Ron was named the first Executive Director of Rockford-based PlatformGROUP and serves as CEO for aligned nonprofit partners ZION Development Corporation and Northwest Neighbors, creating a coordinated housing leadership structure focused on expanding affordable housing and neighborhood stability across Rockford.

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Ronald Clewer’s Articles

Bonnie McDonald: Changing What—and Who—Preservation Is For August 23, 2026

Deedee El Bego

Deedee El Bego graduates this month from the Medill School of Journalism where she has specialized in broadcast and video communications. A former Classic Chicago intern while a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she will be taking us to events in Chicago and Naperville all summer.

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Deedee El Bego’s Articles

Do Division Street Fest 2026: Music, Food, and Perfect Weather to Kick Off Festival Season June 14, 2026 Scissor and Fork May 17, 2026

Russell Kelley

Russell Kelley is a travel writer whose dispatches chronicle journeys through history, culture, and landscape.

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Russell Kelley’s Articles

Letter from San Miguel de Allende, Part I: A History June 7, 2026 Letter from San Miguel de Allende, Part II: Our April 2026 Trip June 7, 2026 Letter from Paris: France’s Record Heatwave July 12, 2026 Letter from Paris: Retirement Politics and the Poetry of French July 12, 2026 Letter from Paris: Paris’s Great Museums and Summer Spectacles July 12, 2026 Letter from Paris: Retirement Politics and the Poetry of French July 19, 2026 Letter from Paris: Paris’s Great Museums and Summer Spectacles July 26, 2026

Jackson LeJeune

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and a former intern with our magazine, Jackson LeJeune has a deep interest in film, music and popular culture and writes about these topics.

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Jackson LeJeune’s Articles

Chicago: An Express History Part Two May 3, 2026 Chicago Train: An Express History, Part Three May 10, 2026 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: 40th Anniversary and Review June 7, 2026 Pokemon September 13, 2026 Coyote vs. Acme Review: A Well-Done Romp in Spite of All Odds September 20, 2026 The Vampires of New Orleans – An Indie Editing Accomplishment September 27, 2026

Marcy Carmack

Marcy Carmack writes Classic Chicago Magazine’s Fashion Trends column, bringing readers inside Chicago’s style scene with an eye for designers, events, and the people who shape how the city dresses.

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Marcy Carmack’s Articles

The Art of Style June 21, 2026 Project Styling: Columbia College’s Live Fashion Competition May 17, 2026 Stéphane St Jaymes May 3, 2026 The Chicago Fashion Scene April 12, 2026 The Shape of Spring March 29, 2026

Jen Huang

A UIC graduate who previously interned at Classic Chicago Magazine, Jen Huang enjoys creating art, writing, and exploring culture.

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Jen Huang’s Articles

Boba Tea in Chinatown February 15, 2026 Chicago's Lunar New Year Parade March 8, 2026 Marwen: Fostering Creativity for the Next Generation March 29, 2026 Serving Greater Chicago: The Greater Chicago Food Depository April 12, 2026 Origami for Families: Creating Artwork One Step at a Time May 3, 2026 Chicago’s Chinatown: A Place to Visit or Call Home July 5, 2026

Lee Hamilton

Lee Hamilton covers Chicago’s classical music scene with depth and authority.

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Lee Hamilton’s Articles

The Chicago Chamber Music Society: Reflections at 90 March 22, 2026

Sophie Bross

Sophie Bross reviews theatre for Classic Chicago, bringing a keen eye to the city’s vibrant performing arts scene.

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Sophie Bross’s Articles

Two Sisters and a Piano at Writers Theatre March 22, 2026

Soumiya Erragragui

Soumiya Erragragui is an arts and culture writer covering theatre, film, and the creative forces shaping Chicago and the wider world.

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Soumiya Erragragui’s Articles

A Conversation with Actor Guillaume Gallienne: Toast of Paris and Hollywood April 19, 2026

Susan Benjamin

Author and preservationist Susan Benjamin heads Benjamin Historic Certifications and is a leading Chicago architectural historian. Her most recent book is Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses from 1929–75.

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Susan Benjamin’s Articles

Peony Party at Paul Schweikher’s Historic Modernist Home June 14, 2026

Soma Roy

An electrical engineer with a voracious appetite for beauty, Soma Roy is the founder of the educational not-for-profit organization, The Nourishment Projects NFP. Her birthplace, Kolkata — a cosmopolitan, cultural center with a vibrant intellectual life — echoes the magnetism of her beloved adopted hometown, Chicago.

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Soma Roy’s Articles

R.S.V.P. to Enchantment June 28, 2026 Hyperlink, a Connection August 30, 2026

Kristin N. Smith

Kristin N. Smith is the Executive Director of the American Friends of Versailles who worked closely with founder Catharine Hamilton and for many years their dazzling projects promoted arts, culture and philanthropy on both sides of the Atlantic. She continues to build this bond between America and France, creating opportunities to bring people together to meet important goals with much joie de vivre.

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Kristin N. Smith’s Articles

Chicagoans Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at Versailles June 28, 2026

Ethan Cotton

An accomplished photographer whose photos of summers in Maine and sojourns in France have captured our readership, Ethan Cotton combines creativity, drama and whimsy in his work. A graphic design with long time experience at the late, great Sir Speedy on Clybourn Street, he has created iconic work for many years.

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Ethan Cotton’s Articles

Global Purr-spective: Cats Around the World July 5, 2026 Steel, Stone, and Stars: The Architectural Symphony of the Chicago Skyline May 10, 2026 Steel, Stone, and Stars: The Architectural Symphony of the Chicago Skyline May 17, 2026

John Makowski

John Makowski is Associate Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Chicago, where his scholarship focused on Roman literature, Latin language, myth, and the classical world in cinema. A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Princeton University, he has taught classical literature, Greek, and Latin for decades and has traveled extensively to the ancient sites of the Mediterranean world.

Mary Grant

Mary Grant writes for Classic Chicago Magazine.

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Mary Grant’s Articles

Stitching a Community Together: The Story Behind Kenilworth’s Centennial Needlepoint May 24, 2026

Marcie Harrison

Marcie Harrison is an award-winning marketing specialist and president of The Harrison Group. She is the author of the biography of Manfred Steinfeld, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of Shelby Williams Industries, as well as several historical pamphlets. She started her career as a journalist in the Boston area.

Marjorie Schwebel

Prize-winning Artist and Photographer Marjorie Schwebel is very involved in her home city of Peoria, taking on a variety of assignments with museums and the Peoria Women’s Club Historic Restoration Committeee. “As a collector of art for sixty years, I enjoy supporting the arts in my community,” she recently commented. “I love my OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes & lectures on Bradley University campus!”

Silvia Beltrametti

Silvia Beltrametti is an intellectual property lawyer and a lecturer in the Department of Art History, Theory and Criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Silvia is an expert on art law and much of her research focuses on how copyright shapes artistic production. She has worked on this topic for about six years and has published substantial research, including academic articles and an in-depth catalogue titled Artists and Pirates that accompanies this exhibition.

Together with her husband Jay Krehbiel, Silvia oversees Ballyfin, an Irish Regency-era historic house that regained its splendor after an ambitious decade-long restoration. In 2023 Ballyfin was awarded the prestigious Hadrian Award by the World Monuments Fund.